Method and apparatus for attaching a wiring harness

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for attaching a wire with a work machine. At least one mat of one of hook type and a loop type material covers a substantial portion of a predetermined wire pathway on a work machine. At least one strip of the other of the hook type and the loop type material wraps respective portions of the wire and mates with the one of the hook type and the loop type material of one of the mats.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to wiring harnesses, and more particularly, to the attaching of a wiring harness to a fixed support.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Wires and wiring harnesses are used in all types of electrical devices, and have been used in great abundance in a variety of machines, such as automobiles, construction and earthmoving equipment, and other utility vehicles. Often the wiring harnesses are mounted in cramped spaces that are difficult to access such as within the dashboard, firewall, or other fixed support.

[0003] In the past, many wiring harnesses are attached to the fixed support with some type of clip. The clip is typically affixed to the fixed support, and the wiring harness is slipped into the clip.

[0004] One problem with this configuration is that the person installing the wiring harness often has a partially or totally obstructed view of the locations of the clips. Thus, the installer is forced to feel around for the locations of the clips in order to install the wiring harness. Further, many clips only accept the wiring harness from a particular angle, e.g., straight on. Thus, the harness must have a clear path along that angle, which can be problematic in tight quarters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides apparatus and methods for attaching a wire with a work machine. At least one mat of one of hook type and a loop type material covers a substantial portion of a predetermined wire pathway on a work machine. At least one strip of the other of the hook type and the loop type material wraps respective portions of the wire and mates with the one of the hook type and the loop type material of one of the mats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a head-on view of an apparatus for attaching a wire to a rigid support of a work machine according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 shows a strip encircling the wire according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0008]FIG. 3 shows a strip spiraling around the wire according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 shows another way to attach the wire to the mat according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010]FIG. 1 is a head-on view of an apparatus 10 for attaching a wire 12 or other flexible chord to a rigid support, such as a dashboard, body panel, or firewall 14, of a work machine (not shown) according to one embodiment of the invention. Although only a single wire 12 is shown, the invention is equally applicable to multiple wires, wiring harnesses, or any other type of flexible chord. The work machine may be any of a variety of machines known to those skilled in the art, such as by way of example and not limitation, automobiles, trucks, construction and earthmoving equipment, golf carts, snowmobiles, boats, all-terrain vehicles, and other utility vehicles.

[0011] The apparatus 10 includes a mat 16 of a hook and loop type material, such as Velcro®. The mat 16 typically is a single type, i.e., either the hook type material or the loop type material, although it could also have portions of each. The mat 16 may be fixed to, e.g., adhered, to the firewall 14 by any of a variety of appropriate ways known to those skilled in the art. The mat 16 is typically a flexible material, able to conform to the contours, if any, of the firewall 14, although it need not be.

[0012] The mat 16 typically covers a pathway of the wire 12. The pathway may be considered to be the possible, likely, and/or desired paths of the wire 12. The pathway may be only a portion of the length of the wire 12, or it may be the entire length.

[0013] The pathway is typically a function of the desired location of the wire 12 and the available surface portions, e.g., attachment locations, of the firewall 14. For example, it may be desirable to run the wire 12 along the firewall 14 under a dash (not shown) of the work machine. Thus, in this example, because the dash is located near the top portion of the firewall, the pathway is located in that area. The pathway detours around, or is not present in, areas in which it is desired that the wire 12 not pass through or need not pass through. For example, the pathway would typically not be in an area where a cutout 18 in the firewall 14 for a steering wheel column is (not shown), or in an area for a false-pedal or footrest 20, and in areas where other items or devices are to be, such as pedals 22. The mat 16 may then be shaped appropriately to cover the defined or predetermined pathway for the wire 12. The pathway is typically substantially wider than the width, i.e., diameter, of the wire 12, although it need not be.

[0014] Although the mat 16 is depicted in FIG. 1 as being a single piece, in other embodiments of the invention the mat 16 may be multiple pieces (not shown): in effect, multiple mats. The multiple pieces may be placed so as to have relatively insignificant gaps (from a functional perspective) between them or they may directly abut or overlap each other.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the mat 16 covers a substantial portion of the pathway. In another embodiment of the invention, the mat 16 covers as little as 50% of the length of the pathway, having at least one gap, and more typically several gaps along the length of the pathway, such as between pieces of the mat 16. These gaps are typically of a size and have a spacing between them so as to still provide sufficient attachment points for a strip 24 or plurality of strips 24 as discussed below.

[0016] The strip 24 of the other type of the hook type and the loop type material, i.e., capable of mating with the mat 16, may be wrapped around or coupled with the wire 12 by any of a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art. The strips 24 mate with, e.g., adhere to, the mat 16 by ways known to those skilled in the art, thereby affixing the wire 12 with the firewall 14.

[0017] The strip 24 may encircle the wire 12 according to one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, or it may spiral around the wire 12 according to another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3. The width of the strips 24 may be such so as to cover the entire wire 12, or only some small portion thereof. Although the strips 24 are depicted in the Figures as being generally rectangular, in other embodiments of the invention the strips 24 may be any of a variety of shapes known to those skilled in the art. The strips 24 are typically placed at appropriate locations known to those skilled in the art along the wire 12.

[0018]FIG. 4 shows another way to attach the wire 12 to the mat 16 according to one embodiment of the invention. The strip 24 is affixed to a platform 26 by any of a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment of the invention, the platform 26 may be a substantially rigid, although it need not be. A cable tie 28 or other suitable attaching device known to those skilled in the art is also affixed to the platform 26. The cable tie 28 encircles a portion of the wire 12, coupling the wire 12 with the platform 26 and the strip 24.

[0019] As many or as few strips 24 may be used as is appropriate. For work machines operating in or producing a high vibration environment, or for wires 12 that are heavy, more strips 24 would typically be used. Low vibration environments and lighter wires 12 would typically require fewer strips 24.

Industrial Applicability

[0020] In operation, after the strips 24 are affixed to the wire 12, the strips 24 may be pressed against the mat 14 in predetermined locations. However, because the strips 24 will typically mate with any section of the mat 16, precise placement of the strips is not necessary. Thus, obstructed views of the mat 14 do little to hinder installation of the wire 12. Similarly, because of the nature of the hook and loop material, the strips 24 will typically adhere to the mat 14 from any approach angle. Thus, the strips 24 need not approach the mat head-on as is the case with many conventional wire clips. This further simplifies the installation procedure. Finally, because in some embodiments the mat 16 covers a relatively large area (see FIG. 1), the mat 16 presents a relatively large “target” for the strips 24, as well as increased options for the precise routing of the wire 12.

[0021] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for attaching a wire with a work machine, comprising: at least one mat of one of hook type and a loop type material operable to cover a substantial portion of a predetermined wire pathway on a work machine; and at least one strip of the other of the hook type and the loop type material operable to wrap respective portions of the wire and to mate with the one of the hook type and the loop type material of one of the mats.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one mats jointly comprise the approximate shape of the predetermined wire pathway.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one mat is operable to cover a substantial portion of the wire pathway.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one mat is operable to cover greater than 50% of the length of the wire pathway.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the strips are operable to encircle the wire.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the strips are operable to be spirally wound around the wire.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one mat comprises a flexible material operable to be contoured to the general shape of the predetermined wire pathway.
 8. An apparatus for attaching a wire with a work machine, comprising: at least one mat of one of hook type and a loop type material operable to cover a substantial portion of a predetermined wire pathway on a work machine; and a plurality of strips of the other of the hook type and the loop type material operable to couple with respective portions of the wire and to mate with the one of the hook type and the loop type material of one of the mats.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of platforms operable to be coupled with the wire and to have a substantially planar face, the plurality of strips operable to be coupled with the plurality of substantially planar faces.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the platforms comprises a substantially rigid material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the at least one mats jointly comprise the approximate shape of the predetermined wire pathway.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the at least one mat is operable to cover a substantial portion of the wire pathway.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the at least one mat is operable to cover greater than 50% of the length of the wire pathway.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the at least one mat comprises a flexible material operable to be contoured to the general shape of the predetermined wire pathway.
 15. An apparatus for attaching a wiring harness with a work machine, comprising: at least one mat of one of hook type and a loop type material operable to cover a substantial portion of a predetermined wiring harness pathway on a work machine and shaped to generally conform with the shape of the predetermined wiring harness pathway; and at least one strip of the other of the hook type and the loop type material operable to wrap respective portions of the wiring harness and to mate with the one of the hook type and the loop type material of one of the mats.
 16. A method for attaching a wire on a work machine, comprising: coupling at least one mat of one of a hook and loop material with the work machine along a substantial portion of a predetermined wire pathway; coupling at least one strip of the other one of the hook and loop material with respective portions of the wire; and mating the one of the hook and loop material of the at least one mat with the other of the hook and loop material of the at least one strip.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one mat jointly comprises the approximate shape of the predetermined wire pathway.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one mat is operable to cover a substantial portion of the wire pathway.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one mat is operable to cover greater than 50% of the length of the wire pathway.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein coupling the at least one strip with the wire comprises wrapping the at least one strip around the wire.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein wrapping the at least one strip around the wire comprises encircling the at least one strip around a respective predetermined portion of the wire.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein wrapping the at least one strip around the wire comprises spiraling the at least one strip around a respective predetermined portion of the wire. 